UCD School of Medicine has added its name to the range of academic institutions and healthcare organisations, which include TCD, UCC, RCSI, the IMO, the People’s Vaccine Alliance of Ireland and the Irish Global Health Network in support of the Doctors for Vaccine Equity campaign.

In partnership with these organisation, UCD School of Medicine is advocating for:

• Irish government to support WHO recommendations on global vaccine equity especially the TRIPS waiver to enable vaccine production in the Global South as a sustainable solution 
• Facilitation of urgent global redistribution of current vaccine supplies and commitment to rational purchasing to avoid vaccine hoarding and wastage

 

Speaking about this formal support from the school, Dean and Head of School and Consultant Respiratory Physician, St Vincent's University Hospital (SVUH), Professor Michael Keane said: "77.3% of eligible people living in Ireland have now received three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. This vital part of the public health response to the pandemic has reduced virus transmission, significant illness and deaths and has allowed for the recent lifting of most restrictions in our everyday lives."

He said: " The WHO Global COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy is aiming for vaccination of 40% of people in all countries by the end of 2021, and 70% by mid-2022. So, while Ireland is faring incredibly well in this regard, by comparison, only 8.1% of people living in low-income countries have received even one dose of a COVID-19 vaccination. High levels of transmission among unvaccinated populations, risks viral mutation and the emergence of vaccine resistant strains which is putting entire global vaccine programme in jeopardy."

 

UCD School of Medicine (which has 1900+ undergraduate students representing 60 nationalities, 180+ academic staff and 670+ adjunct staff) is also asking all doctors among faculty and working in its research community to give their support for the Doctors for Vaccine Equity campaign by adding their signature via https://globalhealth.ie/doctors-for-vaccine-equity/.

 

Also speaking in support of the Doctors for Vaccine Equity campaign, Professor of Microbial Diseases, UCD School of Medicine and Consultant in Infectious Diseases, SVUH, Professor Paddy Mallon said: "Vaccine equity clearly aligns with our School’s Vision for health and wellbeing across the world and reflects our School’s Values of excellence, integrity, collegiality, engagement and diversity. UCD also has a long-standing commitment to sustainability. The lead Theme in the University’s 2020 – 2024 ‘Rising to the Future’ Strategy is ‘Creating a Sustainable Global Society’, highlighting that as a matter of urgency, humanity must learn to live sustainably without degrading its shared planet, in pursuit of the UN Sustainable Development Goals."

He said: "We therefore encourage the Irish Government to think globally in its ongoing approach to the pandemic and support the implementation of the WHO recommendations on global vaccine equity."